More than a quarter of Kiwis will be checking their work emails over Christmas even though local employers are among the least Scrooge-like in the world in their demands for working over the holidays, an international survey has shown.

According to the Workmonitor survey by recruitment company Randstad, the number of employees logging on to their work emails over Christmas is increasing internationally. A third of Australians, 26 per cent of British workers and 29 per cent of Canadian employees plan to check emails during the festive season.

However, the survey reveals that only 16 per cent of New Zealand employees are expected to be available over the break.

This compares to 58 per cent of employers in China, 56 per cent in India and 40 per cent of organisations in Hong Kong who expect employees to be available at all times over the holiday period.

Randstad New Zealand director Paul Robinson said that while it's good to see employees want to remain productive over the holidays, it's also important they take time out to rejuvenate and unwind.

"We all know the business world doesn't stop over summer, however it's important employees are encouraged to take a well-earned break over the Christmas period in order to recharge for the upcoming year," he said.

"Whether this means leaving the laptop at work, not looking at or responding to work emails, nominating 'no work' days or sharing responsibilities effectively around a team, Kiwis need to work with their employers to ensure expectations are met and everyone has a good break over the Christmas and New Year period," he said.

New Zealanders' commitment to their jobs over the holidays goes beyond checking their work inboxes. Almost half, 42 per cent, stay up to date with what's going on at the office through various channels, and 31 per cent admit they have trouble letting work tasks go when on holiday.

The Randstad survey also shows New Zealanders are far less confident of receiving a pay rise in 2014 than they were last year. Only 54 per cent of employees believed they would receive a rise in the new year. This compared to 69 per cent who thought their pay would increase in 2013.

This figure was also far lower than their counterparts throughout the region, with 93 per cent of Singaporean workers, 92 per cent Indian and 82 per cent of Hong Kong employees expecting a pay rise in the coming year. Japan (35 per cent) is the only nation in the region with fewer workers expecting a salary boost.

"While many organisations may not be in a position to match the pay cheques offered by other regional businesses, it's important to consider other benefits which will be attractive to employees," Robinson said.